Published 25.08.2026
by Kids’ Own
by Kids’ Own
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A children's arts organisation and publishing house.
We recently gathered at Roscommon Arts Centre to celebrate the launch of Chaotic: An Eye on Adolescence, marking the culmination of a creative project with LGBTQ+ young people and their allies from Foróige groups in Boyle, Castlerea and Roscommon Town.
Developed by Kids’ Own in partnership with Foróige and Roscommon Arts Centre, the project created a space for young people to explore their experiences of adolescence through art, writing, conversation and collaboration.
Over a series of workshops, led by Kids’ Own associate artist Andy Parsons and associate writer Mary Branley, participants experimented with different creative approaches, including large-scale charcoal drawing, mono printing and stop-motion animation.
Alongside the artmaking, Mary facilitated conversations about life as a teenager in Roscommon today. The young people explored themes including identity, belonging, rural life, school pressures, community and the importance of having spaces where they can express themselves.
The launch brought together young people from all three Foróige groups, along with project partners, youth workers, artists and supporters. It was a chance to step back from the creative process and celebrate what the young people had made.
The event was hosted by a young person from Foróige, while Joanna O’Reilly (LGBTQ+ youth worker) reflected on the journey of the group, from its beginnings to where it is today, and the important role young people play within it.
The Chaotic broadsheet was launched at the event, alongside a collection of postcards featuring the young people’s artwork and creative responses. We also shared a new video bringing together work from across the project.
A particularly special moment was hearing one of the young people read a poem from the broadsheet aloud. It was a beautiful reminder of what this project has been about from the beginning: creating space for young people to express their own ideas and have their voices heard.
Rosemary Finnerty, Senior Youth Officer with Foróige Roscommon said:
“The atmosphere at Roscommon Arts Centre was electric, and we were truly blown away by the incredible response to our launch event. Providing a platform to showcase our young people’s visual art and creative writing is vital—it proves to them that their perspectives are valued, powerful, and worthy of being celebrated by the wider community. Seeing the pride, courage, and creative expression on display highlighted just how transformative youth work can be when young voices are given the spotlight.”
For Kids’ Own associate writer Mary Branley, the launch was an opportunity to celebrate the breadth of work created throughout the project:
“We had a wonderful launch of ‘Chaotic’ in the Roscommon Arts Centre, celebrating the art work, spoken word and stories, of Foróige LGBTQ+ young people and their allies. This project created multiple outcomes; a video, a website, a broadsheet, posters, and postcards. Our hope is that this work reaches far and wide.”
We’d also like to thank Kids’ Own Project Manager Fiona Reilly, whose work and support helped bring the project together, and everyone at Foróige and Roscommon Arts Centre who supported the young people throughout the process.
Projects like this remind us why creating space for young people’s voices matters. Through the creative process, the participants were able to explore their experiences, try out new ways of making and communicating, and create work that reflects how they see their lives and communities.
The project has now come to a close, but the work created will continue to be shared through the digital exhibition and the collection of creative outcomes.
You can watch the Chaotic: An Eye on Adolescence video and explore the project here:
With thanks to Foróige, Roscommon Arts Centre, Roscommon County Council, Roscommon Children and Young People’s Services Committee (CYPSC) and GRETB for their support of the project.
